So-Called 'Right To Work' is Wrong for Oklahoma

On Sept. 28, 2001, the state of Oklahoma adopted its So-Called “Right to Work” law, allowing workers to enjoy union representation without paying their fair share for the representation.

Stifling the organized labor movement in Oklahoma through So-Called ‘Right to Work’ legislation

The SWPTA and our affiliated Local Unions and member contractors are entirely against these laws as they create an unsafe workplace and encourage the use of unskilled, low wage labor.

Oklahoma’s So-Called “Right to Work” law sets provisions that make it difficult for a union to operate in the state. According to the state’s constitutional referendum, no employee shall be forced to resign union membership as a condition of employment, become or remain a member of a union, pay the dues or fees for the union representation enjoyed by the employee, be recommended, approved, referred or cleared by a labor union.

These laws are backed by corporate interests who seek to take collective bargaining power away from the workforce of Oklahoma, thereby lowering wages and safety standards within the state.

So-Called “Right to Work” laws diminish the safety of Southwest Pipe Trades Association and all United Association (UA) members in Oklahoma.

So-Called “Right to Work” laws diminish the safety of workers by making it easier for untrained and less-skilled pipe trades tradesmen and tradeswomen onto job sites.

A So-Called “Right-to-Work” law decreases the incentive of completing a United Association registered apprenticeship program. As a consequence more unskilled workers will walk onto job sites without the proper safety training thus exposing themselves and others to the hazards they were never trained to mitigate.

All SWPTA affiliated Local Unions and member contractors fully fund the United Association registered apprenticeship program where those entering the pipe trades will learn about safety and take certification courses to ensure they are aware of the dangers of construction and how to mitigate them.

All members of SWPTA affiliated unions are required to carry at least an Occupational Safety and Health Administration 10-hour (OSHA-10) training card on job sites to prove they have completed the course. Some other projects may require further safety training, which is fully funded by the UA.